Swedish firm SeaTwirl has received its first commercial revenue by being paid to prepare a proposal to use its floating vertical-axis turbine as part of a larger project in the North Sea.
It will prepare the proposal for Kontiki Winds, which is owned by Norwegian offshore wind contractor Havfram.
The two companies had recently signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the potential to electrify oil and gas assets with SeaTwirl’s turbines.
SeaTwirl CEO Johan Sandberg told “uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç that specific details of the project were “highly confidential”.
He described the latest agreement as a “huge milestone” for the Gothenburg-based company, and “a confirmation that there are commercial clients who see the benefit of our technology”.
SeaTwirl claims its concept has a simple, robust design with a low centre of gravity – meaning it can use less steel than conventional floating designs and can be maintained more easily and cost-efficiently.
The company is due to trial a 1MW prototype of its technology in Norway, and has previously tested a 30kW model.
Research has suggested that vertical-axis wind turbines installed in certain configurations could outperform traditional horizontal-axis turbines, but aerodynamics experts have questioned the findings.
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